DA: major West Vincent pot grow operation busted

WEST VINCENT — Over 180 marijuana plants were seized and one man was arrested Tuesday after police discovered a “sophisticated” grow operation at a home in the 1200 block of Jaine Lane in Spring City.

According to the Chester County District Attorney’s Office, 53-year-old Christian Titone was arrested after police executed a search warrant at his home. Officials said the home was located in a secluded area of the township.

“The defendant thought he could outsmart the police trying to grow marijuana in a secluded section of Chester County. He was wrong,” said District Attorney Tom Hogan. “We have confiscated his drugs arrested him, and now will move to forfeit everything associated with his drug dealing.”

Police said investigators executed a search warrant at Titone’s home during Tuesday’s early morning hours. Inside, they found a sophisticated hydroponic grow operation with 188 living plants in various stages of growth. Officers also found processed marijuana ready for sale, according to police.

Investigators found marijuana labeled with 12 different strains, including names like Afrodite Mother, JBS Pineapple, and Ace of Spades. In the home’s basement, investigators found growing lights, an irrigation system, and ventilation.

Police said Titone’s home also had a “state of the art” surveillance system that allowed him to monitor all sides of his home’s exterior with several high definition monitors inside.

After the search, executed by the Chester County Detectives and the county’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Strike Force, members of the state police’s Clandestine Laboratory Team removed the marijuana and all of the growing equipment, officials said.

Law enforcement officials praised the cooperation between agencies that led to the arrest.

“This was excellent work by the Chester County Detectives and assisting departments,” Hogan said. “Chester County is a great place to live because our law enforcement team is strong.”

Titone was charged with drug dealing offenses, including possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released after promptly posting $100,000 cash bail, according to officials.

The investigation was conducted by the Chester County Detectives, Pennsylvania State Police, Oxford Police Department, Kennett Square Police Department, and the Chester County District Attorney’s Drug Unit.